To Serve vs Serving Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To serve (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to serve" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I want to serve the community by volunteering at the local shelter.

Serving (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "serving" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Serving others brings a sense of fulfillment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To serve (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To serve is a noble act of kindness.

  To serve is a noble act of kindness.

  • "*To serve*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a noble act of kindness).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to serve food at the event.

  She wants me to serve food at the event.

  • "Me *to serve* food at the event" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to serve* food at the event).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a tray to serve appetizers.

  I need a tray to serve appetizers.

  • "*To serve* appetizers" modifies the noun "tray."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tray *to serve* appetizers).

Serving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Serving others is a selfless act.

  Serving others is a selfless act.

  • "*Serving* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a selfless act).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy serving food at the soup kitchen.

  I enjoy serving food at the soup kitchen.

  • "*Serving* food at the soup kitchen" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*serving* food at the soup kitchen).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for serving her community.

  She has a passion for serving her community.

  • "For *serving* her community" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *serving* her community).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to serve dinner at the charity event tomorrow.

They hope to serve the community through their nonprofit organization.

He wants to serve on the board of directors.

We decided to serve meals to the homeless this weekend.

They agreed to serve as volunteers for the event.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys serving others through her volunteer work.

They recommend regular serving at the local food bank.

I dislike the idea of serving in a high-stress environment.

He avoids serving at events with large crowds.

Can you imagine yourself serving in a foreign country?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to serve at the community center. She likes serving at the community center.

We started to serve meals to the elderly. We started serving meals to the elderly.

He began to serve as a volunteer firefighter. He began serving as a volunteer firefighter.